The day a Tottenham legend walked into a pub full of Arsenal fans...

Last updated at 10:14 21 December 2007

David Ginola is remembered as one of Tottenham's most gifted and entertaining players – but the former France star has revealed his White Hart Lane career was almost over before it started when he walked into a pub packed full of Arsenal

Ginola's tale has particular resonance on the eve of the 157th North London derby and is an illustration of the hostility felt between the clubs.

The date was August 23, 1997, less than 24 hours after the Frenchman had helped Spurs to their first win of the season at home to Derby County.

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The scene was suburban North London, with the new Spurs star just signed from Newcastle and keen to celebrate his new life in the capital over a few drinks with his wife.

However, the unsuspecting couple's date quickly turned sour as they

stumbled into one of the most famous Arsenal and anti-Spurs pubs in the country.

"I lived in Totteridge, next to Mill Hill," Ginola recalls. "I used to live 200 yards from Arsene Wenger and the Orange Tree was the pub where the Arsenal fans went. When I signed I knew of the clubs' rivalry but I didn't know about the

pub. So we played on the Saturday and on the Sunday I went to the pub.

"I remember opening the door and it was all Arsenal shirts. When they saw me coming it was like, 'Uh'. I remember saying: 'Oops'. So I went back and said to my wife: 'Listen, I think it's the wrong place for us, I think we should go home'."

Ginola went on to establish himself in Spurs folklore, with the 1998-99 season, when he helped his side win the League Cup and was crowned both the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year, the highlight.

Famed for his audacious skill and vision, Ginola was not too fond of derby games, adding: "We never had a good game – a game where teams try to play good football. The referee's whistle went every two minutes. It was never a great show."